Conjunctivitis

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Inflammation of the conjunctiva

Question 2

Etiology

Answer 2

1. Bacterial
   - Staph. Aureus
   - Staph Epidermis
   - Gonorrhea
   - Chlamydia
2. Viral
   - Adenovirus
3. Allergy

Question 3

Pathology

Answer 3

1. Infection (Bacterial, Viral)
2. Allergy
3. Chemical injury

Question 4

Clinical Features (General)

Answer 4

1. Symptoms
   - red eye (usually bilateral)
   - teary eyes, discharge
2. Signs
   - injected conjunctiva
   - haemorrhage
   - chemosis

++Corneal involvement

• pain
• photophobia
• foreign body sensation

Question 5

Clinical Features (Specific)

Answer 5

1. Bacterial
   - mucopurulent discharge
2. Viral
   - watery discharge
   - hyperchemosis
   - follicles
   - lymphadenopathy
   - URTI
   - usually epidemic
3. Allergy
   - water discharge
   - itching
   - papillae
4. Gonorrhea
   - purulent discharge

Question 6

Investigation

Answer 6

1. Conjunctival scrapings, swab for C/S
   - Thayer Martin Agar (Gonorrhea)
2. PCR for viral or chlamydia
   - if failed tx

Question 7

Treatment

Answer 7

1. Therapeutic
   i. topical antibiotic (gentamicin)
   ii. systemic if gonococcal/meningococcal/cellulitis
   iii. Lid hygiene
2. Symptomatic
   - analgesic if pain
   - artificial tears
   - cold/warm compress
3. Prophylactic
   - hand hygiene
   - discourage hand rubbing, towel sharing (viral)
   - discontinuation of contact lens until resolved